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5.30.2014

relationships



a little bit about this picture
this field was planted to white clover and oats in the very early spring. the oats germinated quickly and took off while the clover slowly did its thing and followed behind.
the plowed strips you see in the photo are where we have planted our tomatoes.
we will mow the pathways of oats and allow the clover to take over.
the white clover only grows to about 10 inches and will provide a living mulch under the 300 plus tomato plants.
this system of intercropping allows us to be feeding the soil at the same time we are growing a crop for the table.
the clover also suppresses weeds and provides forage for the bees and other beneficial insects.
next year, yes we are already planning for next year, the early brassicas will be planted into the pathways and the clover will fill in where the tomatoes were this year.
while this is not the first year we have employed this system, it is no less remarkable and it sure beats plastic.







5.25.2014

Campaign Update-new video

As you likely know, we are amidst an online campaign to raise funds to build a greenhouse at the farm. There's only a couple weeks left and there's still $4,000 to raise! If we meet our financial goal, we'll break ground on the project this summer. The campaign is at Indiegogo and now features a new introduction video. Check it out, you just may see yourself! We tried to capture the spirit of the place.



Also, thank you members for being so allowing with our taking photos when you are at the farm. It helps us chronicle the evolutions of the seasons and share the farm experience more broadly. That said, if you aren't comfortable with your photo being taken and/or posted online, let us know and we'll readily abide that preference.

Kindly share the campaign link widely! Donations of any size are most welcome and the greenhouse will be hugely important progress infrastructure-wise. We do not take soliciting donations lightly. We decided to ask for community support for this project as it was cost-prohibitive on our own and as a farm open to all, shareholders or not, we hope the farm has had lasting positive impact on many individuals.

Thanks for being a part of it all.

5.21.2014

littleGrasse apprentices

We offer a learning & living opportunity here at the farm for young people. This season, we have an array of arrangements with four enthusiastic folks. You'll probably be seeing them around the fields, please introduce yourselves! This apprenticeship focuses on building practical skills to manage a diversified small-farm and homestead. The participants will have the chance to participate in a wide array of group activities from seed to table, while grasping the inner workings of this unique CSA. The apprenticeship is not paid and complies with NY standards for additional technical preparatory training (and room/board for some situations) in exchange for labor. 

Meet the crew!
Kaitlyn Lawrence-I'm a junior and Sustainable Agriculture major at Green Mountain College. I was a visiting student at St. Lawrence for the spring Sustainability Semester, and can't wait to get my hands dirty!
She'll be with us through June.


Emily Penna- Ever the enthusiastic littleGrasse participant, Emily came out weekly to harvest all last fall. She's active on campus at SLU in the Java music theme house she lives in and is an English major. 
She'll be living and working with us until heading back to campus for her final semester.

 
Lauren D' Angelo- I am a recent graduate of environmental studies from SUNY Binghampton and my main interests are forestry and ecological agriculture!  
She's heading abroad with the Peace Corps next year and will be living at the farm into October.
 
Joshin Atone- I'm from Southern California and played a lot of baseball throughout my life. I'm half Japanese, half American, and I go visit my family in Japan twice a year so I consider that home as well. A recent grad from SLU: multi-Language major (Spanish, French, Chinese) and music minor. For the summertime I am excited to learn about growing and cooking food as well as other hands-on creation processes. I'm living with Ellen Rocco which I'm super excited about. It'll be great to learn more about the North Country and make lots of music while I'm at it.
He'll be at the farm part-time into the fall.


We're looking forward to working with this great group of individuals.

5.15.2014

Spring Update


     Though the winter was fierce and spring didn't exactly rush in, we've been able to work with the weather and stay mostly on our planting schedule. The garden morning this past weekend was quite productive and we got several hundred brussels and broccoli in the ground. The peas were already popping and just in this past week, we're seeing growth in the leeks and onions.  All the winter squash and pumpkins starts are in cold frames, just beginning to germinate. The end of the month will bring lots of transplanting and direct seeding, including many favorites like tomatoes, eggplant and beans.
     The piglets were more challenging to secure this season what with the scarcity, partly due to the Porcine Epidemic that began sweeping the nation last year starting in the mid-west. Thankfully we create conditions far healthier (in ventilation, diet, exercise) than confinement operations where this has dominated. Still, it's something farmers around the globe need to be aware of.
     Also, still in the works is our online fundraising campaign for a beautiful, sturdy all-important greenhouse on the farm. We're keeping costs as low as we're able to through trading some our farm products for design consultation and framing labor. Consider a donation today and pass along the link to the Indiegogo site to friends and family!
     Several folks have asked about times in the week to plug into the garden beyond the Second Saturday Garden Mornings. The short answer is: mornings! Other Saturday mornings are great as well as most every weekday morning, with 9am-noon being prime. Send us an email or Facebook message if you want to put in some hours around the farm. Occasionally you'll see a group email from us, alerting members of an upcoming task that would be best accomplished with many hands. Those opportunities are a great way to fulfill your monthly time.

We're looking forward to beginning CSA distribution in a month or so. Stay tuned!

5.11.2014

video from farm party


SO FUN!
lots of folks who were and weren't in attendance, asked when the next party will be.
though we don't know the answer, we hope we look forward to continuing to host community events of all stripes. thanks for stopping by and know you're welcome any time. we have garden mornings with potlucks at noon the second saturday of every month april through october.

5.05.2014

may garden morning- saturday the 10th


WHO: littleGrasse shareholders & friends
WHAT: group morning in the garden with potluck to follow
WHEN: Saturday May 10th  9am, with potluck at noon
WHERE: share barn at 309 Miner Street Road


Let's hope the weather is fitting for planting the early cabbage and greens!

We'll be making a hearty soup for lunch.

Reminder: No on street parking. First cars park on grass at edges of driveway in barnyard. If that's full, there's space at the farmhouse next door at 307 Miner St.

april potluck

5.04.2014

Partay Summary



Online Indiegogo campaign is LIVE! 

WOW!
The benefit party last night at the farm was a wonder of community and a smashingly good time. The weather held  with zero rain during the event (midnight downpour afterwards!) and allowed over 400 people to enjoy a beautiful spring day together. Between the incredible lineup of music, the delicious abundant potluck food, folks from ages 1 to 86 and the beer from Canton's own St. Lawrence Brewing, we were bathed in positivity and fun. And don't forget the piglets, ever the crowd pleaser. In total the event raised over $800 towards our goal.

It would not have been possible without the generous donation of time and talent from all the performing artist's  and bands including: Bryan Lee, Grey Eyed Strangers, Vocal Skies, Camilla Ammirati, Dan Harvester, Louisa Stancioff, Lenore VanderZee, Chloe Anne McElligott ,Steve Manders, Bee Children, Phil Neisser and last but most definitely not least, every member of SLU FUNK.

The event was a success with the participation from sound engineer Joshin Atone, MC Emily Penna and especially Larry Boyette for providing his personal equipment for the sound system, as well as technical assistance and setup. Big thanks also to Ken Hebb and the folks at St. Lawrence Brewing Company, Jake Brillhart, Rohan Kensey, Kearstan Cubit, Elia Filippi, Denise Dingman, Carolyn Filippi, Michelle Jerez, Louis Hutchinson, Jenelle Matthews, Gavin Matthews, Evan Martell, Mrs. Harvester and all our kind neighbors for their constant support. 

Thanks to  each and every person who donated funds yesterday as well as all the members of littleGrasse Foodworks. It was a joy to have so many folks here on the farm.

This was a great reminder to continue supporting all the joyous treasures here in our community including local musicians, local farmers and local beer! 

Thank you thank you thank you! We look forward to continuing the momentum incited by this benefit party!

Stop by the campaign to learn more information and donate today!